TORONTO, November 3, 2011-- Toronto Real Estate Board Commercial Division Members reported a combined 445,501 square feet of leased industrial, commercial and office space through the TorontoMLS® system in October 2011 – down by a third compared to October 2010. Of the total space leased, industrial property types accounted for 371,755 square feet – down 31 per cent compared to October 2010.

The average lease rate for industrial space in October 2011 was $4.40 per square foot net – 15 per cent lower compared to October 2010.

“Slower than expected economic growth this year coupled with a less certain outlook for the economy moving forward has had an impact on the industrial leasing market in the Greater Toronto Area,” said Commercial Division Chair Larry Purchase. “Uncertainty with regard to the situation in the United States and Europe has caused some businesses to move to the sidelines when it comes to making real estate investment decisions. This is especially the case for GTA industrial concerns focused on export markets.”

There were 38 combined industrial and commercial sales in October 2011 compared to 39 sales in October 2010. The average selling price for industrial properties was down almost 16 per cent year-over-year to $105.49 per square foot. The average selling price for commercial properties was down 41 per cent year-over-year to $154.85 per square foot.

“Softer commercial market conditions this year compared to last likely played some role in the average selling price decline. However, from year to year the type, size and geography of industrial and commercial properties sold can also change substantially. These kinds of compositional differences likely also had an impact on the average selling price,” added Purchase.

October 2011: Per Square Foot Net Commercial Leasing Summary

Lease Transactions Completed on a Per Square Foot Net Basis with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS®

Leased Sq. Ft. (Price Disclosed, Per Sq.Ft. Net)

Avg. Lease Rate (Price Disclosed, Per Sq.Ft. Net)

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2010

% Change

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2010

% Change

Industrial

371,755

537,062

-30.8%

Industrial

$4.40

$5.18

-15.0%

Commercial

35,943

43,649

-17.7%

Commercial

$21.41

$18.19

17.7%

Office

37,803

83,246

-54.6%

Office

$13.93

$10.62

31.1%

Total

445,501

663,957

-33%

October 2011: Commercial Sales Completed with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS®